Apparatus for soldering containers



1941- I e. GOEBEL EIAL 2,251,517

APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONTAINERS File d June 22, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet l AugS, 1941. e. GOEBEL ETAL APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONTAINERS Filed June 22, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 7:96 Goebz 1941- s. GOEBEL EIAL I 2,251,517

APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONTAINERS Filed June 22, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I In 137 56 Georg Goebe H a'77:9 .79. 79M

1 v G. G-OEBEL m- L 2,251,517

APPARATUS FOR S OLDERING CONTAINERS Filed June 22, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 6120/36 Goebiz; flarryfl fa l! 4 G. GOEBEL EIAL 2,251,517-

I APPARATUS FOR SOLDEHING CONTAINERS a Sheets-sheaf; 7

3mm I Gummy I I Filed June 22, 1937 W. 0 0000 000000000000 oooooooooooooooooooooo hm m m QNN 1 e 9 a M 0Q mw MUM nw e my ANN O m e H F BI W hmw 4 Ill 0 00000 00 0 ooooooooooooooo o 000 L 0 u u i o O O. o \l o o m Wan/4% Aug.5, 1941. GVGO EBEL ET-AL 2,25"1,s17

I APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONTAINERS I Fiied June 22, 1937 a Sheets-Sheet a Patented Aug. 5, 1941 APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONTAINERS George Goebel and Harry A. Ran; Baltimore, Md.', assignors to Crown Cork & Seal'company; Inc:, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application June 22, 1937, Serial No. 149,764.

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for soldering, and while particularly directed to the soldering of the ends of tin cans tothe bodies of the cans, is useful generally for securing and sealing joints as well as, for conveying articles upon which one or more operations are to be performed.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the containers travel through a preliminary fluxing, apparatus and, then along a-predetermined path in the soldering machine. During the travel of the cans in the soldering machine, they are subjected toa solder application, wiping and cooling. The operations are consecutivelyperformed and the cans travel at a'speed which enables large scale p-roduction'of finished articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is suitable for the soldering of pre-lacquered or pre-finished cans. That is to say, the invention'will achieve-the soldering of cans to which has been previously applied a finish or'coating, and their passage through. the soldering machine will not result in any marring of the finish.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate the difilculty frequently experienced where the fluxing apparatus is associated with the. soldering-machine, namely the piling. up or collecting of cans in the fluxing apparatus, due to a slowing up in the movement of the infeed mechanism for the soldering machine. For'example, where the fluxing and soldering apparatus are arranged in communicating relation, they have-heretofore been driven independently and due to over-heatingv or other causesthe motor for the soldering machine, after continuous use, develops a lag in R. P. M. such that the infeedmechanism does not accep-twthe cans at the rate they are delivered from the fluxing machine. Consequently, the cans jam up in the fluxing apparatus and excess coats or spots of flux are formed which are highly objectionable. We eliminate this difficulty by providing for synchronous operation of the fluxing apparatus and infeed mechanism so that the.

rate of movement of the cans through the fluxing apparatus is timed precisely withthe ability of the infeed mechanism of the. soldering machine to receive and feed the fluxed cans.

By eliminating the possibility of formation of such gummy spots of excess flux and of the solder which tends to collect thereon in the soldering operation, we produce cans in which notonly are the endsefliciently soldered,,but whether prelacquered or not, the cans are free of any 0bjectionable appearance.

A further object. of the invention is to convey the cans through the soldering apparatus upon independent and positively rotated means" for each can. That is to say, each can-is'carried upon a can carrier chuck and these chucks are positively rotated while moving through a' predetermined path to undergo the consecutive operations incident to" the soldering. Thecans are :independently'carried by a conveyor and are not dependent for their movement and rotation upon a continuous. belt such-as heretofore utilized and which moreover inthe case of'pre-lacquered cans may; mar the'finish due to the continuous contact of the belt with the cans.

An additional feature of the present invention consists in pre-heating the cans so that, at the time of the solder application, the jointsurfaces :have a temperature which will enable efficient flow and adherence of the solder.

Another feature of the invention resides in applying thesolderto a joint by means-of a roll rotating in a direction toward the opening in the joint and'whereby the liquid solder builds up in the space between the applying roll and .the body ofthe 'can adjacent the joint opening creating a pressure flow or head of solder into the joint, opening. Since the can is rotating, a film of solder will be ap-pliedthroughout the periphery of the joint opening'andby reason of the temperature of the. joint and the capillarity, supplemented by the building up of. apressure head of liquid solder, as just explained, at the joint opening, the solder flows very-efliciently between and adheres to the surfaces of the-joint so thata very effective soldered joint is formed.

Another important featureof the present inventionresides in the employment of a wiping step by which (1) solder is wiped toward and into the joint opening, and (2) the adjacent surfaces of the jointare simultaneously-wipedand brushed clean. In carrying out this-step, the

. wiping means includes a wiping roll and a brushing roll, each wiping toward the joint inopposite-directions, one of the rolls acting to-both wipe the solder toward the joint-opening and clean the adjacent surface of the joint and'the other roll acting as a cleaning roll. This step enables pre-lacquered cans to be soldered and eliminates any necessity for subsequent cleaning operations, assuring that the-finished articlewill have a nice appearance.

In theoperation of the invention, it is preferred to first-pre-heatgsolder and wipe one end of the can and then to cool the soldered joint whereupon the cans continue upon the conveyor and the opposite end is subjected continuously to a similar sequence of operations. Both the infeed mechanism and the outfeed mechanism for the soldering machine are located at the same end of the soldering machine, and they are both automatic, and the canstraverse a predetermined path from the infeed mechanism to the outfeed mechanism during which they are automatically subjected to the several operations described.

It is preferred to have the cans travel in a horizontal plane during their passage through the soldering machine, but the cans are independently mounted for tilting or inclination with respect to the horizontal plane for the purpose of clearing the infeed mechanism after being applied to the can carrier chuck and at the time of removal of the cans from the chuck at the outfeed device. In some cases also, the cans are given tilting movement after each soldering step so that the joint opening to'which solder has been applied opens upwardly to cause the solder to fiow therein, but this is not preferred and in most cases is unnecessary.

The apparatus is subject to considerable modi fication and change and we have shown and will describe a preferred construction and certain modifications, but it is to be understood that these are for purposes of illustration and the invention is not limited to the precise method or construction herein set forth.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the can in disassembled relation;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the can assemled;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the joint at the top of the can in position on a solder applying roll;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-section of the joint at the base of the can in position on a solder applying roll;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the assembled solder machine and fluxing machine; 1

Figure 6 is a top plan View of the fluxing mechanism;

Figure *7 is a vertical transverse section on the line 1-7 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal cross-section on the line 8-8 of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse cross-section on the line 9Ei of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a vertical transverse cross-section on the line ill-l6 of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a cross-section through one can carrying chucks;

Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-section of one of the can carrying chucks showing the can in gripped position;

Figure 13 is a cross-section on the line I3l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the can gripof the ping means;

Figure 19 is a cross-section on the line l9-l9 of Figure 18.

In the drawings, we have illustrated at Hi in Figure 1 a cylindrical metal can body having the usual side seam H. Associated with the body is a top having a conical portion l2 and a vertical flange l3 adapted to overlap the upper end portion of the body l0 as shown in Figure 2. Also, associated with the body H] is a bottom having an indented portion I 4 and a vertically extending flange l5 which is likewise adapted to overlap the bottom end portion of the body I 9 as shown in Figure 2. The several parts of the can are illustrated in assembled relation in Figure 2 and the ends are soldered to the body at the overlap joints Hi. It will be understood that in the original assembly of the top, bottom and body, that the parts are so closely fitted that a rigid structure is maintained until the parts are permanently united.

The can assembled as shown in Figure 2 is first treated in a fiuxing apparatus indicated as a whole at A in Figure 5 where'a film of flux is applied about the periphery of each of the joints l6. Thereafter, the can is fed to the infeed mechanism 13 of the soldering apparatus, as shown in Figures 5, '7 and 3. At the infeeding means, each can is positioned upon a separate can carrier or chuck C as shown in Figure 11 and carried by a conveyor D shown in Figure 15 first through a pre-heating zone E as shown in Figure 5, then past a soldering instrumentality F as shown in Figures 5 and 9, then past a wiping instrumentality G shown in Figures 5 and 10, and finally through a cooling zone H as shown in Figure 5. These treatments take place on the upper run of the conveyor away from the infeed mechanism and upon one end joint N5 of each can e. g. the top joint, and similar consecutive operations of preheating, soldering, wiping and cooling as indicated at E, F, G and H are performed on the lower return run of the conveyor, to solder the bottom joint H3.

The finished soldered containers are automatically discharged through the outfeed mechanism which is indicated as a whole at I as shown in Figures 5 and 8 and located at the same end of the soldering machine as the infeeding means B. It will be observed that all of the operations are automatic and continuous.

The fluaring apparatus The flux applying apparatus A is indicated in Figure 5 and shown more in detail in Figure 6. It is of conventional type and includes supporting legs I! upon which are carried a receptacle [8 for holding the fluxing solution. Working in the fiuxing solution are a pair of flux applying rollers I9 which extend longitudinally of the receptacle 3 and are rotated in opposite directions toward the openings in the joints [6 and on axes parallel to the path of travel of the cans thereover, by means of a shaft 20 and suitable gearing 2|. The shaft 20 is operated from a sprocket 22 over which runs a chain 23 as shown in Figure 5 to a suitable motor 24. By having the rollers rotate in opposite directions, the fiux is simultaneously applied as a film toward the opening defining the joint [6 at each end of the can. The containers shown in Figure 2 are moved longitudinally over the rotating flux applying rollers I9 by means of a belt 25, moving over pulleys 2G and 2'5. The lower run of this belt engages the cans and they are held between the same and the rollers I9 and are propelled boss, '.the stemis surrounded byxa spring.54 confined against a'collar 55:andthe adjacent .end of the boss, and normally urging the discx52 and rotated across the .rollslby means of ithe moving belt so that fluxiis applied throughout the periphery of each joint 16. In order to main- .tain' a firmcontact and assure that the cans bar29. has downwardly extending resilient fingers 30 which bear upon the upper side of the -.lower run of .the .belt and resiliently maintain it in contact with the cans at all times.

The pulley .26 is. positively driven fromthe solder machine througha chain.3|, operatingover a sprocket32 on thepulley. shaft .33. and a sprocket 34 mounted on a shaft35iwhich is driven through a gear and chain mechanismjndicated as a whole at.36 from a shaft..3| for.moving the infeed and conveyor mechanism .of the.solder.

machine. .The shaft 31 is rotated. by means of a motor 38 through the, chain 39 which drives through an automatic clutch mechanism .40. Since the can infeed andconveyor means. for

the solder machineand the .belt 3250f the flux- 335 mg apparatus are operatedby this shaft from a single prime mover 33, all of theparts are.synchronously operated, and the timing is such that the cans feed evenly and continuously to the infeed mechanism and .there is .no possibility ofcans collecting in the fiuxingapparatus dueto a lag in the movement of the infeed andconveyor means or of overfeeding by the 'fluxing apparatus.

Can feeding apparatus The cans from the fluxing apparatus are delivered continuously by gravity through an inclined chute 41 to the infeed mechanism of the soldering machine.

Referring to Figure 7, there is keyed shaft 31 a spider upon the periphery of which is secured a pair of circular spaced plates 43 provided with a plurality of aligned can receiving pockets or recesses 44. These plates '43 constitute the feeding device to which cans are delivered from the chute 4i and the cans-arecontinuously positioned upon the can carriers C and removed from the pockets.

Also keyed to the shaft 31 is a hub 45 carrying a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 46 integral with the hub for engaging between the rollers of and moving a pair of conveyor chains 41. Carried by the conveyor chains '41 and integral therewith are brackets 48 upon which are mounted the can carrying chucks C, these chucks being disposed in such spaced relation, and the sprocket wheels being of such diameter, that the can receiving head of one of the can carrier chucks will always be disposed in alignment with one pair of recesses 44 in the feeding plates 43 to receive a can from the respective pocket.

Also keyed to the shaft 31 on the opposite side of the spider 42 is a spider 49 having at its periphery a plurality of hollow bosses50, which are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the recesses 44 in the plates 43 and the spacing between the heads of the can carrying chucks C. Thereby, in the rotation of the spiders '42 and 49 and the hub 45 by the shaft 31, the pockets 44, bosses 50 and the can receiving heads of'the chucks C are always in alignment.

Disposed in each of the bosses 55 is a stem or plunger having at one end a disc 52 and a shoulder 53 of greater diameter than the opening in thebossjfl. On the opposite side of the to the rearwardlytoward the boss. The free end of the stem projects beyond the collar 55.to"form .a

cam contactpiece56 as will be later described.

Referring to Figures 5, 7.and 8, it will be noted that'the shaft 31 is mounted forrotation in .suitable bearings 51 in a fram 58 which is mounted upon-a base 59. i Secured as by bolts to eachside of the frame :58 are segments -\60 which are. con- ;nected together by tie rods 6|. f Fixed to one of the. segments 60 is acam .62 adapted to be engaged by contact piece 56 and likewisefixed to ;the oppositesegment 66 in aligned relation to cam-.62 is a cam 63 adapted vtobe engaged by a cam contactpieceM 0n the can carrier C.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8,. as the canswhich may be pre-lacqueredor carry asurfacefinish, move down thechute M .from the fluxing apparatusand the canfeeding device" and the conveyor carrying the can carriers C is revolving about the shaft 31, cans are successfully :fed in timed relation to the recesses 44 inthe plates of the feeding device, by an infeed gatemechanism indicated as a whole .at .65. This mecha-' nism includes a gate 66 extending into the path of cans in the chute 4|, which gate is connected to a lever 61 carried on a short shaft 68 pivotally mounted on the chute, to which shaft is connected a lever 69 having pivoted theretoa link 16 connected to a trip lever H pivoted at 12 on the chute 4|. As the cancarriers C'travel about the shaft 31, the bodies 13 thereof successively engage the finger H to raise the gate 66 and allow cans to drop by gravity into the-recesses 44 of the plates .43. As the 'feed plates or feeding device carrying the cans move up from the mouth of the chute,for example-reach the point X,- the cam contact piece 56 of the plunger-5| engages the cam 62 to move the disc 52.to theright as shown in Figure 7 into contact withthe bottom of a. can and push the neck of the canon to the can receiving head'i4 of the alignedcan carrier as shown in Figure 11. At this point, the cam 63 is in engagement with the cam contact piece 64 on the carrier to move the head 14 of the can carrier toward the can in alignment withthe opening therein and causes the fingers 15 of the can carryinghead 14 to lie in collapsed position as shown in Figure '11. Thisallows the neck of the'can which is being moved at the same time toward the head by the disci52engaging the bottom of the can to be positionedon the can receiving head for gripping by the fingers as shown in Figure 12, and the neck of thetcan to bepositioned within the neck receiving throat, as will be later described. In this manner, namely, by the simultaneous movement of the can toward the chuck C and the movement of the head 14 toward the mouth of the can,.the can is disposed .in gripping relation on the can carrier C and as the feeding device 43 and thecam carrier 'revolve, the can carrier contact piece 64 'moves off of the cam 63 causing the head 14 to retract and return to its normal position .withthe fingers l5 expanded to grip the can as shown in Figure 12.

' Likewise, the cam contact piece 56 is disengaged is entirely automatic and that it is timed with the feeding of cans through the fluxing apparatus. Hence, there is no possibility of overfeeding in the fiuxing apparatus and objectionable jamming of cans due to any lag in the rate ofmovement of the can infeeding means and conveyor of the soldering machine or lag in the rate of feed of cans through the fluxing machine.

It is to be noted that the can receiving head 74 of the can carrier C is aligned with the opening in the neck or top of the container and that the disc 52 of the plunger 5! is likewise aligned with the container at the point X. The gripping of the can by the head 74 is rapid, and the can is in gripping relation as shown in Figure 12 by the time it has reached the point Y as shown in Figure 8. Hence, a very rapid can feeding device is provided enabling the machine to develop a high speed of operation.

The bar 16 as shown in Figure 8 is a bracing bar for the chute El and is connected thereto and to the frame 58 as shown. This bar may permit a certain amount of free play in the chute to take care of vibration if necessary by pivoting the bar 16 at either end.

Can Carrier or Chuck Referring to Figure 11, the can carrier includes the fixed body 73- within which is rotatably disposed the shaft 71 suitably mounted upon roller bearings 78. At one end, there is fixed to the shaft by the screw 19 and pin 89 a gear 8| by which the shaft is rotated.

At the opposite end of the shaft, a can engaging throat 82 is adjustably threaded upon the shaft 11 and engages a shoulder 84. Between the end of the body, and a shoulder 85 on the shaft there is disopsed a roller 86 which is freely mounted for rotation upon the shaft on suitable roller bearings Bl. Any convenient packing 88 is disposed in the recesses between the shoulder 89 of the body and the shoulder 90 of the roller, and the side 9! of the roller and the end 92 of the throat. This prevents foreign matter from entering the bearings and retarding the free rotation of the several parts,

Extending through an opening 93 in the shaft TI and reciprocatingly slidable therein is a plunger rod 9E. At one end of said rod, there is adjustably threaded the cam contact piece 64 which it will be noted extends partially into a recess 95 formed in the shaft 71 and is slidable therein. Within this recess, and confined by the wall of the recess at one end and the adjacent edge of the contact piece 64 at the other end is a spring st which normally acts on the contact piece to urge the plunger 94 and contact piece 64 outwardly from the gear 8|.

The throat 82 has an internal annular shoulder 97 defining with the end of the shaft 11 a recess 98. The plunger 94 has connected to its end within said recess the can carrying or gripping head M as by a pin 99. This head 14 has an annular rib I06 and an inwardly inclined came surface I'd]. The rib Hill is provided with slots N32 for receiving the can gripping fingers 15. These fingers each have an inclined surface I04 at the end adjacent the cam surface lfil and at their opposite ends are provided with feet I85 extending at right angles to the body portions of the fingers and disposed in rear of the shoulder 97. Engaging the feet Hi5 of the fingers is a washer I66 against which bears a spring I01 confined by the washer and the adjacent wall of the shaft 11 and pressing the feet I of the .fingers against the shoulder 91.

When the contact piece 64 is engaged with the cam 63 as shown in Figure 11, the latter moves the rod 94 and the head 14 inwardly toward and in alignment with the opening or neck of a can, and the fingers fall into parallel alignment with their inclined surfaces I64 resting against the inclined cam surface l'fll of the head. When the contact piece moves off of the cam 63, the plunger is retracted under the force of the spring 96 and with it the head Hi. The cam surface llll of the head 74 thus bears against the inclined surfaces I04 of the fingers, causing them to expand radially as shown in Figure 12 into gripping relation with the interior portion of the neck, forming a triangular pyramid, the base or portion within the can being of greater size than the opening of the can.

The throat 82 has an inclined can engaging portion I08 for engaging the inclined top of the can and the throat is of a diameter to receive the neck of the can. This construction in cooperation with thefingers 15 as shown in Figure 12 assures that the can will be rigidly supported in a horizontal plane during rotation of the shaft 11 and the can, and in a manner to avoid any mar-ring of the finish while the can is traveling through the soldering machine, i. e., the inclined surface I08 of the throat is narrow, so that the engagement of the throat and can is along a relatively small area. The throat moreover aids in aligning the neck of the can with the gripping head 14 and the can carrier.

The gripping relation between the fingers '15 and the neck of the can as shown in Figure 12 assures that the can cannot be pulled off of the fingers which in their expanded relation comprehend a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening in the can, and this gripping relation can only be discontinued by causing the rod 94 to move inwardly to the position shown in Figure 12. It is to be noted that the only possible way for this to occur is by pressure upon the cam contact piece 64, and the infeed mechanism is soconstructed, that after the cam contact piece 84 moves away from the cam 63, the contact piece is not again engaged or pressed until the soldering operation is completed and the can is ready for removal from the machine. In this connection, the throat 82 encloses the head 14 and fingers 15 and its engagement with the inclined top of the can is such as to prevent dust or other undesired substances from entering the throat to possibly disrupt the operation of the can engaging head. Moreover, the throat is easily removable so that access may be had to all of the parts of the can receiving head.

The can when gripped by the chuck as shown in Figure 12 will be rotated by reason of the rotation of the shaft which rotates the rod 94 carrying the fingers l5 and the throat 82, the inclined inner surface of which is in engagement with the inclined top of the can, the can being drawn against the throat by the action of the expanded fingers F5.

The body 73 substantially intermediate its ends is formed with a downwardly extending integral projection or block 159, which is provided with an opening M0 to receive a shaft ill the ends of which project from the opening on opposite sides as shown in Figure 15 and are received in opposed recesses H2 formed in the sides H 3 of a substantially U-shaped supporting member H3. It is to be noted that the sides H3 are cut-away toward one endso that the ends of t'he'shaft III may be positioned in the recesses H2. .Fitted in the top edges H4 of the reduced portions of the-walls H3 are screws II5 having beveled heads H6, The screws H5 are threaded into thetop edge portions of the walls H3 and their bevelled head surfaces engage the periphery of the shaft in a manner to permit the body I3 to rock upon the shaft for a purpose which will presently be described. Thescrews H5 not only secure the body I3 to the supporting member I I3 and afford a tilting movement for the body and the can supported by the can carrier during certain movements of the conveyor, but likewise permit the can carrier to be easily removed as a unit from the supporting member I I3.

The bottom III of-the supporting member is secured to the flat angular integral extensions or-brackets 430i the links 41 of the conveyor chains as by bolts H9.

As shown in Figures 9 and 15, the links '41 of each chain overlap and are connected in overlapped relation as shown at I upon opposite sides of a rollerI2I by means of the shafts I22 which passthrough openings in the rollers and in the overlapping'ends of the links.

The movement of the can gripping .head "I4 towardand into alignment with the neck ofthe can, to occupy a position forgripping a can, and the retraction of the headand expansion of the fingersto grip the cangis. very quick; also the operations of gripping a can, and releasing the same. after the soldering operation are simultaneous and continuous in the operation of the machine. 4

The can carriers orlchucks afford individual means. for carrying the cans through the soldering machine, and assure that they will be positively rotated, as distinguished from the usual moving contact belt which heretofore has been used for this purpose. 1

Various types of throats may be used as will be appreciated with different types of cans, but it is important that the throat alignthe can with the can carrier, have a minimumof engagement with the can top or body, and allowaccessibility to the carrier.

The method of carrying the can whichv has been described, provides a mean whereby-the entire exteriorof the body, top and bottom portionare freeand clear of any supporting means. Being free of any obstruction, work of any nature may be performed on the entire exterior surface thereof.

After each can has been gripped by thecan receiving head .14, the conveyor carries thecan through the solderingapparatus which will now be described.

The soldering machine Referring to Figure .5,-the conveyor and the instrumentalities forv accomplishing the soldering operation are mounted upon horizontal frame members I23, which in turn are supported upon vertical frame members I24, the latter being disposed upon the base59. A sprocket I25 similar to the sprocket at theinfeedend. is supported at the opposite end-of the machine upon .the frame members and issuitably adjustable by meansshown at I26. The rollers I2I of the chains 4'! constituting the conveyor are engaged by the sprockets and the conveyor is continuously operated from the infeed end of the machine by the sprocket 45 which is actuated from the motor 38.

Referring to FiguresIQ and 10, the horizontal frame member I23 is substantially channel shapedandthe upper horizontal leg forms a track upon which the rollers I2I travel, being formed with shoulders I2'Ito guide the rollers, and preventlateral movement thereof. At one edge of the upper leg of the channel member, there is secured an angle member I28, and to one side of this-member there is secured for vertical adjustment bymeans of the threaded studs I29, a track-I30 which supports the forward end of the can carrier by means of the roller 86 for movement thereover.

At the opposite edge of the upper horizontal leg of the channel member there is secured a similar angle member I3I to one side of which is secured for vertical adjustment by means of studs I32 a rack I33, the teeth of which engage the teethof the gears SI of the can carriers for continuously rotating the can'carrier shafts TI (and the cans) as the carriers travel through the machine on the conveyor.

-It1wil1 .be'noted that the angle members I28 and I3I extend over the rollers I21 to confine the same during the upper run of the conveyor, while in the lowerrun of the conveyor as shown in;Figures-.9 and 10, these angle members support the rollers I2 I for" movement of the conveyor thereover. In this latter position of the chains and chuck carriers, the under-surface of the lower leg of the channel is provided with shoulders I34 for guiding .the "rollers and preventing lateralrmovement of the conveyor. Bolted to one of the vertical frame members'l24, is an arm I35 upon which is held for vertical adjustment by means :of studs I36 a track I31 for" the roller 86 in the lower run of the conveyor.

'The'horizontal channel member I23 extends throughout the length of the machine between the sprockets 45 and I25 while the angle members 'I28--I3I,'the track I3IlI3'I, and the rack I33,'jare: continuous with the chains forming the conveyor/these :parts being curved and joined at the ends of the machine to conform to the path .of movementof the chains as they move over the sprockets.

Inthecaseof the lower run of the conveyor, a'vertically adjustable member I38 may in some cases be adjustably fixed to the angle member I28 to extend downwardly therefrom coextensive with the track I31 and guide the top of the roller 86 =asitm0Ves over the track I31;

Referring toFigure 10, the horizontal screw I39 indicates the manner in which the track I 3'0 'I3'I--I 38 andrack I33 are fixed to the frame at spaced p0ints,'after being vertically adjusted by the studs associated'with these members.

The cans after being gripped by the can carriers as shown in'Figure 12, are removed clear of the feeding device 43 by providing the track I30 with a raised or cam portion I40 as shown in Figure '8 of a height and extending for a sufficient distance longitudinally to raise the cans free of the ends of the pockets 44 in the feeding device. It will be understood'that the rollers 86 engage the cam portion I40 of the track I30 and thereby'rock the can carrier bodies I3 about the shafts 'II I so that the carrier and can are tilted upwardly out of the path of the feeding device. It is to be understood that the rack is of a contour to conform with that of the cam portion I43 of the track so that the gear BI 'is constantly in mesh therewith. Thereafter, the can carrier and can assumea position in a horizontal plane as shown in Figures 5 and 8.-

The heating step The can carriers with cans gripped thereon travel through a heating zone E which consists of a pipe I4I having a multiplicity of downwardly directed burners I42 from which projects a suitable gas flame. Preferably, a can is gripped and supported at the end which is to be soldered first, and the flames are directed upon this end. In the present case, the top end is gripped in the can carrier, and the flame plays upon the joint I6 to thoroughly heat the same so that in the subsequent solder application, the solder will readily flow into the joint and adhere efficiently to both surfaces of the overlapped joint. A similar preheating zone E is provided in the lower run of the conveyor.

Solder application From the heating zone, the cans pass continuously to the soldering apparatus which is best shown in Figures 5 and 9.

This soldering construction includes a container I43 for the solder which is supported from brackets I44 at each end of the container. The brackets I44 are connected at one end to the supporting member I23 as by bolts I45, and at their opposite ends are supported by standards I46 from the base 56. The container I43 is vertically adjustable through the medium of threaded studs I41 extending up through threaded openings I48 in the brackets and engaging the bottom of the container as shown at I49. The container is likewise laterally adjustable by means of the studs I56 threaded in ears I5I on the brackets I44.

The burner I4I extends throughout the length of the solder bath and the container bottom is recessed to receive a similar burner I4 I as shown in Figure 9, whereby the solder is maintained fluid.

Positioned within the container is the solder I5I' which is applied to the joint I6 through the medium of the rolls I52, one of which contacts with the joint I6 of the rotating can as shown in Figure 9. These rolls are geared together and the lowermost roll is operated from a shaft I53 as shown in Figure 5 which is rotated by a chain and sprocket connection I54 from the shaft I55 which is operated by a chain and sprocket connection I56 from a shaft I51 as shown in Figure 10 which latter is operated by a chain and sprocket connection I58 with the motor I59 suitably supported on the fame as shown in Figure 5. The roll 52 which contacts with the rotating can at the joint I6, rotates in a direction to move the solder toward the opening in the joint, and it is to be understood, that the rollers extend longitudinally of the path of movement of the cans and rotate on axes at right angles to the axes of rotation of the cans.

Since the joint is thoroughly heated in the preheating zone, and because of the capillary effect exerted by the joint, supplemented by the pressure of the liquid solder building up in the space between the can body and the roll I52, as shown at S in Figures 3 and 4, adjacent the joint, the solder flows efficiently into the joint and a thoroughly sealed and secure joint is formed.

In the lower run of the conveyor, a similar soldering apparatus F is provided except that the container I43 is'supported in'brackets I44 which at both ends are mounted upon standards I46 from the base 59. In this lower run of the conveyor, the bottom joint I6 is soldered, and

the roll I52 which contacts with the can operates in a direction opposite to that of the upper roll I52 of the soldering path previously described but in the same manner to move the solder toward the opening in the joint.

Since the can is rotating by reason of the engagement of the gear 8| with the rack I33, the entire periphery of the joint will be supplied with a film of solder and assure that the joint will be completely sealed and secured.

The wiping step After the completion of the soldering step, the cans are continuously traveled through a wiping instrumentality G shown best in Figures 5 and 10. This mechanism includes a pair of rolls I which are simultaneously rotated in clockwise directions. The lower or wiping roll engages the periphery of the joint to wipe the solder into the opening of the joint I6 and to clean the adjacent surface of the joint. The upper or brushing roll brushes the adjacent peripheral surface of the joint to likewise clean the same. Both rolls wipe or brush in opposite directions toward the joint opening. These rolls may be in the form of rag wheels, felt rolls, or some other suitable material which will not mar the surface of the metal as the rolls perform their wiping and cleaning functions. The rolls are preferably of the same diameter and while the lower wiping and cleaning roll is shown as of greater diameter than the upper cleaning roll in the present instance, the reduced diameter of the upper brushing roll is to facilitate access to the adjacent surface of the joint of the particular can. Since the cans are rotating, this wiping mechanism acts throughout the periphery of the joint and assures that the solder will be moved toward the joint opening and that the surfaces about the joint will be clean and of nice appearance. Hence, it is possible with the present invention to pre-lacquer the cans without danger of marring the finish or final appearance of the cans.

Referring to Figure 10, the lower roll I60 is mounted on a shaft I6I carried in suitable bearings I62 having right angled bracket portions I63 which are bolted by bolts I64 to a plate I65. This plate is longitudinally slidable on a pair of bracket members I66 and is adjustable laterally through the medium of the threaded stud I61 extending loosely through an opening in the ear I68 formed on the plate I65 and engaging threadedly in an opening I66 in a web uniting the bracket members I66. The stud is provided with a reduced portion I61 forming a shoulder I68 engaging on one side of the ear I66, while the knob I69 is provided with a reduced portion I10 forming a shoulder engaging the ear on the opposite side. The knob I69 is secured to the end of the stud as by a pin I1I'. In this manner, rotation of the knob I69, will serve to adjust the plate I65 laterally so as to properly position the lower or wiping roll I60.

The bracket members I66 are vertically adjustable upon a bracket I16 bolted at I1I to the underside of the adjacent leg of the channel member I23 and this bracket I1!) has a pair of spaced V-shaped vertical grooves I12 receiving V-shaped projections formed at I13 on the inner walls of the bracket members I66. The bracket I10 has an ear I14 in which is loosely mounted a threaded stud I15 similar to the stud I61 and engaging in a threaded opening I16 in another web con necting the bracket members I66 whereby the bracket members I66 carrying thexplate I65'and wheel I69 arerraised'or lowered. The mounting of the stud H in the opening in the ear. I68 is similar to the mounting of thestu-d I61. The bracket members are held in adjusted position with the V-shaped grooves I'I2 engaging inthe V-shaped projections I'I3 by means of horizontally extending threaded locking studs I162 The upper roll I66'is adjustably supported in asimilar manner from the frame I". The purpose of this adjustment is to insure that the rolls will always line up with the joint to which the solder has been applied and to take care of wear.

The upper pair of rotating rolls I60 wipe and brush the topjoint I6 of the can du-ringtheupper' run of the conveyor'while a similar lower pair.

ofrotating wiping and brushing rolls I69 rotating in a counter-clockwise direction wipe and brush the bottom joint I6 of the can during the lower run of the conveyor. The uppenor brushing roll of the lower pair is adjustably mounted in the same manner as just describedupon an arm I18, and the lower or wipingroll is'similarly' adjustable upon a supporting frame II9. In this manner not only are the top and'bottom joint surfaces wiped clean, but the solderisdirected into the joint openings. Thus, a can so treated has a nice appearance;

The shaft I6I for the lower of the upper pair'of rolls I60 is rotated-by achain and sprocket connection I80 to the shaft I55 while-the upper roll is rotated by a chain and sprocket connection IBI with the motor I 59.

In the case of the lower pair 'of rolls, a motor I82 has a sprocket and chain connectionwith a shaft I63, which shafthas independent sprocket and chain connections I84-and I85 with the shafts of the lower wiping roll and the upperbrushing roll respectively, as shown in Figure 5.

The rag wheels which form bufiing rolls may be so arranged on their shafts as to bring to the surface of the can either a soft orhard buffing face or both. Thus, abuffing'wheel may present during initial engagement'with the joint a hard surface capable'of moving solder into the joint and which hard surface will be produced by grouping a series of rag-wheels and drawing them together on the shaft by means of washers andnuts until they form a compressed; relatively hard buffing surface. Thereafter, the number of wheels in the grouping so formed. may be progressively reduced, and the groups segregated by means of spacers until finally single wheels are spaced apart producing arelatively soft buffing surface. In this manner the can is initially subjected to the hard buffing surface, which, as stated, will act to force the solder into the opening and, thereafter, to progressively and relatively softer wiping surfaces which act to clean and polish the adjacent surfaces of the joint. It is to be understood, that during this operation the temperature of the can, is sufficiently high to maintain the solder in a molten state.

In this connection, the lowermost solder roll I52 of the lower solder bath to which the other rolls are geared is operated by a chain and sprocket connection I86 from the shaft I83.

The cooling step From the wiping instrumentality, the cans travel continuously through a cooling zone where the top joint I6 is subjected to streams of cool air discharged from the pipe I81. This pipe I81 communicates with a conduit I 69 by a branch I89 and the pipe I90 for the lower run of the congetherby cross'rods 2ITII;v In this manner, the

veyor communicates with the conduit ll 88 through thebranclial9l: In'xthis cooli'ng zone, the joint issuitably cooled, and the: solder hardened.

Itwill b-e'observedthat allof the operations are continuous and automatic and that the cans Thje outfeed mechanism As the cans-leave the lower cooling'zone H, the track I3'I'is depressed as shown at I92 so that the carrier C tilts downwardly On" the shaft I I I 1 a -sufficient distance for the'can to clear the ends of the pockets in the feeding device 43. It is:to'be-un'derstood that thexrack. I33 is of a-contour to conform'with' that of thedepressed portion I92= ofthe trackso that the gear 81 is constantly inmesh therewith. The track is then elevated as shown at" I94 and at the point I95 the cans are registered in the pockets- 44. At this point, the contact piece 64- engages acam I96 on the'segment 60Iand the plunger is depressed;;throwingthe fingers 15 to the. position shown inFigure-ll, and so that-the can may be removed'forthe can-receiving head I4; At the same: time, there is interposed in the path of the conicalendof the can a'fixedbutfeed cam I .ll as shown in Figure 'lwhich extends in a horizontal plane at an'angle to the longitudinal axisof the can, and since the can is in releasable position on the can-receiving head, it pushes the can off of the head. The outfeed cam I91 is connected by= a bracket I98'to .one of the rails I99, forming. the bottom of an outfeed chute defined by'the side walls ZMI'and connected tocans are automatically removed from the can carriers and drop onto the rails I99 whereby they are'deliveredto the chute 262m which they are ejected by gravity from the machine. The rails I99 are connected to the walls 296 of the chute inany suitable manner; As: the cansmove away fingers I5 expanded, but: againassumes a posi tion to receive a can-as shown inFigure llwhen in the revolution of the shaft 37, the contact piece 64 engages the cam 63.

Referring to Figure 16, we have shown a modified type of soldering machine which differs from the machine shown in Figure 5 in that after the soldering operation, the track I36 is raised as shown at 2I0 in a manner to cause the can carrier to tilt upwardly and with it the can whereby during the wiping and cooling steps, the opening in the top joint is presented upwardly. In the lower run of the conveyor, the track I3! is depressed downwardly as shown at 2 so that the can carrier and the can are tilted in a manner to present the opening of the bottom joint upwardly. By this construction, the flow of solder is positively directed into the joint, but this construction is not preferred and in most cases is unnecessary.

from the machine shown in Figure with regard to the specific structure of the frame members as will now be pointed out in connection with a modified type of chuck which we sometimes employ.

Referring to Figure 18 we have shown a modified form of can carrier or chuck C. This device has a body portion 2|2 within which is received a shaft 2l3 adapted to be rotated within the body. At one end there is keyed to the shaft by a hub 2l4 a gear 2l5, the engagement of the gear 2| 5 with the rack I33 acting to rotate the shaft 2l3. A recess 2l6 is formed in the shaft terminating in an opening 2|! within which is reciprocatingly mounted the plunger 2H3 having connected to one end thereof the cam contact piece 2I9 as by a pin 220. The cam contact piece H9 is slidable in an opening 22| in the gear and hub thereof. Disposed within the recess 2|6 is a spring 222 which is confined by the wall of the recess and the inner end 223 of the cam contact piece and normally acts to move the plunger and contact piece outwardly of the hub 2M. Mounted upon the shaft for free rotation or keyed thereto as desired is a roller 224 having a hub 225 which roller acts to support the can carrier upon the track 226, in the same manner as the roller 86 in the preferred 7 construction shown in Figure 12. Threaded upon the free end of the rotating shaft H3 is a canreceiving throat 221 which is provided with a plurality of openings or slots 228 in its periphery and within which are pivoted at 228' can gripping fingers 229 for engaging the neck of the can externally as shown in Figure 18. Carried by the free end of the plunger 2 I8 is a head 230 having a circular groove 23l within which is received one end 232 of each of the fingers 229. The side Walls of the grooves are inclined or bevelled as shown at 233. When the cam piece 219 is pressed inwardly by engagement with a cam 63 or a cam I96, the gripping fingers 229 are expanded outwardly upon the pivot pins 228' so that a can end may be positioned within the fingers to be gripped thereby. When the cam piece is released from the cams, the plunger rod 2 l8 returns to its normal position and causes the ends 234 of the fingers to move inwardly toward each other, into gripping relation with a can as shown in Figure 18. In this position, the can is gripped firmly and held as the can carrier moves through the machine.

Further, with reference to Figure 18, we have shown in dotted lines at 260, the'rack I33 inclined and in engagement with the gear 2I5 (or the gear Bl). Such inclination of the rack either The machine shown in Figure 16 also differs.

upwardly or downwardly and the meshing of its teeth with the teeth of gear 215 or gear 8| is coincident with the cam portions M0 and I92 as shown in Figure 8, and the cam portions 2 H3 and 2 as shown in Figure 16. In this manner, the shaft of the can carrier chuck is at all times rotated during the continuous movement of the conveyor.

While we have illustrated a container having a conical top as shown in Figure 1, this is purely for purposes of illustration, since the invention is operable to handle containers of various contours.

The invention has been illustrated in connection with the soldering of the joints for metal cans, but it will be appreciated that its application is widespread, and, for example, this apparatus may be used wherever one or more operations are required upon continuously moving articles. Thus, the invention may be used to apply a label to glass containers or to apply printing or designs to metal containers. In this connection, the invention is equally useful in connection with glass or metal containers, although we have particularly referred to metal cans.

We claim:

In an apparatus for soldering can ends to can bodies, spaced sprocket wheels rotatable in a vertical plane, an endless chain movable about said wheels and through upper and lower paths of movement, a plurality of can engaging and supporting elements projecting laterally from said chain, said elements being rotatable with respect to said chain, means adjacent one end of the upper path of movement of said chain to move said elements to can engaging position, means along said upper path to rotate said elements and the cans carried thereby, means coincidental with said last-named means to heat, apply solder to, wipe the solder toward, and, by a stream of gas under pressure, cool one end joint of the can, all while the longitudinal axis of the can is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane, means along said lower path to rotate said elements and the cans carried thereby, means coincidental with said last-named means to heat, apply solder to, wipe the solder toward, and, by a stream of gas under pressure, cool the other end joint of the can, all while the longitudinal axis of the can is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane, and means at the far end of the lower path of movement of said chain to move said can engaging and supporting elements to can releasing position.

GEORGE GOEBEL. HARRY A. RAU. 

